Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, describing the move as an insult to Sanatana Dharma.
Akhilesh Yadav's Remarks
Speaking in Agra on Sunday, the former chief minister said, "It is very unfortunate that officials now have to investigate the priests at the Ram Mandir. This is an insult to Sanatana Dharma when such a prestigious temple is subjected to a probe." His comments came a day after the state government, acting on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directives, constituted a three-member SIT to look into the alleged irregularities.
Formation of the SIT
The SIT was formed following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which sought a government-led inquiry amid growing public scrutiny. The team is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and includes Lucknow Range Inspector General Kiran S and Finance Department Special Secretary Neelratan Kumar. The SIT has been instructed to submit a preliminary report within seven days and a final report within 15 days.
Allegations and Response
The controversy began when former SP MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in temple donations had been misappropriated. Akhilesh Yadav subsequently raised concerns over donation management and demanded a probe, while also questioning the state government's response.
The Temple Trust has strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that routine audits revealed no irregularities. However, amid intense media attention, it requested the government to conduct an SIT investigation to establish facts and counter what it termed misinformation.
Reactions
Ram Temple Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Mishra welcomed the decision, praising the swift formation of the SIT and the strict timeline set for the investigation. He said senior officers have been entrusted with the inquiry, reflecting the administration's seriousness.
This development has sparked political debate, with Akhilesh Yadav's criticism highlighting the sensitive nature of the issue surrounding the Ram Temple, a landmark site for Hindus.
